How to Maintain Five Elements

We all know that our body is composed of the five elements of nature, known as the Panch bhoot tatva or maha tatwas in yogic science. Dr. Puneet Chawla gives us tips to cleanse each of the five elements within us, which when practiced regularly, can lead to a sense of rejuvenation and wellbeing within. However, before getting into a mystical process of achieving these elements, it is very essential to stabilize these five fundamental elements. The body, the very earth, the universe, and the cosmos, all are just a play of five elements. The body’s composition is such that most of it is water. Then there is earth, air, fire, and the rest is akash or etheric space.
As per Dr. Chawla’s understanding, how these five elements behave within us determines just about everything. Bhuta means element, bhuta shuddhi means to become free from the taint of elements or to cleanse the elements. It means to become free from the physical nature. Most human beings are completely in the grip of their physiological and psychological processes. Our physiology is something that we have accumulated. Likewise, the whole content of our psychological process has been accumulated in the form of impressions.
Between these two processes, who we are existentially, the nature of our being, is completely missed. If you want to access dimensions that are not yet in our experience, dimensions that are considered mystical, the first thing that we need to do is to start cleansing the five elements within you. When the elements are pure, we distinctly know the difference between what is physical, what is psychological, and what is existential.
Tips to Cleanse the Five Elements
Water
Among the five elements, water has the greatest significance because a major percentage of the body constitutes water and hence it is very important to ensure its physical as well as molecular purity in terms of composition. However, to clean, keep the water in a metal container, preferably made of copper or an alloy of copper, wash the container every day with an organic substance, and keep the water in a place where it is not touched by other smells and substances – there is sufficient space around it. By doing so, and by approaching it by holding the vessel in your hands with a sense of gratitude and reverence because it is life-making material, and then consuming it, we will see it will do wonders within our system. Healthfulness and equanimity will be a natural consequence.
Earth
The best way to cleanse this element is by trying to spend at least a few minutes in the garden, barefooted, touching plants or trees, because the earth is the basis of life. All life – including human and that of every other creature has come from this earth. We need to stay in touch with it and harmonize our system.
Air
Air is the most dynamic element in terms of the transaction that happens on a minute-to-minute basis. It is well-known that what kind of air we breathe is important, but how you breathe and how consciously we do so is equally important. A simple yogic practice called nadi shuddhi at home is enough to cleanse the breath.
Fire
The simplest and best way of cleansing the element of fire within us is to get some sunlight every day.
Akash or space
One simple process that we can do to find more access to the akashic intelligence is, after sunrise, before the sun crosses a 30 degree angle, look up at the sky and bow down to akash for holding us and this planet in place. After the sun crosses 30 degree, sometime during the day, look up and bow down again. Within 40 minutes after sunset, look up at the sky and once again bow down to the etheric space around us that is holding everything in place.